A Denver judge on Monday ruled prospective candidates in the recall elections of Democratic Sens. John Morse of Colorado Springs and Angela Giron of Pueblo can petition onto the ballot up until 15 days before the Sept. 10 election. The ruling falls in line with the state constitution and makes it difficult for clerks and the secretary of state to follow a new elections law that requires ballots to be printed and mailed to voters.

“The voters expect a recall on Sept. 10 and we need to roll up our sleeves and deliver this election. My office is working closely with the county clerks and members of the public to address questions and concerns about the conduct of these recalls,” Gessler, a Republican, said in a statement. His office will hold a public hearing Thursday in Denver to address any concerns voters from El Paso County’s Senate District 11 and Pueblo’s Senate District 3 might have.

Clerks in El Paso and Pueblo counties had followed state statute and allowed a 10-day window from when the governor set the election date to allow candidates to submit 1,000 valid signatures so they could appear on the ballot. Republicans Bernie Herpin and George Rivera submitted enough signatures, and their names are the only ones that currently appear on ballots in Colorado Springs and Pueblo, respectively.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.